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Soccer team works overtime in pursuit of wins

By Shawn Linenberger - | Sep 11, 2002

Tonganoxie High is finally finding the net, but the Chieftains’ overtime woes continue.

THS scored first against Lansing on Tuesday with a Nick Volk goal in the 37th minute of the first half.

The Lions then answered in the second half and, for yet another game, the Chieftains had to play in to overtime. And in the second overtime, in the 40th minute, the Lions scored. Lansing made the goal with 32 seconds left.

“Three out of four that’s incredible,” said coach Harold Pittman. “It really wears our guys out.”

Out of four games this season, only one the Basehor-Linwood match last Thursday ended in regulation. Against Mill Valley, Bonner Springs and now Lansing, the Chieftains have gone into double overtime.

That’s the equivalent of another game and a half.

On Tuesday, the Chieftains (1-2-1) scored first for the second consecutive game, but couldn’t hang on for the win.

“The guys were really playing well,” Pittman said. “There were a couple of moments we lapsed and we didn’t fill the middle. Overall, I think they played well.”

Lansing out-shot Tonganoxie 22-20 in the contest.

Tonganoxie’s goal Tuesday took much less time than its first goal of the season last Thursday.

It took about 270 minutes, but the Chieftains found the net.

THS, which had gone scoreless in its first two games, scored against Basehor-Linwood on sophomore Chris Colon’s kick.

“We were all getting mad because we hadn’t scored,” Colon said.

Tonganoxie fought through its two other double overtime games before the BLHS game. In the season opener, the Chieftains fell to Mill Valley in the 96th minute. Against Bonner Springs, THS had an apparent goal in the second half, but was called for a handball violation. Two overtimes later, the Chieftains were still winless and scoreless.

But against the Bobcats on Thursday, the Chieftains used a fast break of sorts to nab their goal.

After a whistle at midfield, Tonganoxie used a quick set, getting ahead of the defenders for an easy goal.

“We were noticing they were tired and knew a quick set would catch them off-guard,” Pittman said.

Against Bonner Springs, Tonganoxie had numerous chances to score, out-shooting the Braves 15-3 in the first half and 28-17 for the game.

Against Basehor-Linwood, THS again had the advantage, out-shooting the Bobcats 16-8. The teams had a common opponent. Basehor-Linwood lost to Mill Valley 8-0 earlier in the week, while Tonganoxie dropped the season opener to the Jags 1-0. The odds appeared to be in Tonganoxie’s favor, especially because first-string goalkeeper Charles Millison didn’t even play. The Bobcat goalkeeper was out because of a red card in the previous game. Still, the narrow win was still a victory.

“After 200 minutes of play, we scored,” Pittman said.

Tonganoxie’s next game is Thursday at Perry-Lecompton.

“In the past we’ve done well against them,” Pittman said.